Vacation Bible School presents timeless truths in a fresh way
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 5 months AGO
Students at Moses Lake Presbyterian Church’s Vacation Bible School learn about the Gospel with kid-friendly activities.
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | June 30, 2016 6:00 AM
MOSES LAKE — It’s not your father’s Vacation Bible School.
Moses Lake Presbyterian Church’s week-long program for kids last week built on the long history of VBS, but brought the Gospel into a 21st century setting for a younger generation. The staples were still there: singing, games, activities and Bible stories, but the old-school flannel boards were replaced by elaborate sets and even a phone app to accompany the curriculum. The program brought in about 240 kids, which was especially impressive with four other churches holding VBS the same week, according to Lynn Frey, who coordinated the program.
This year’s theme was “Jesus is the Light of the World.” The curriculum, called “Cave Quest,” led kids on a tour of Biblical virtues and hopefully either to make a commitment to Christ or to strengthen the one they have, Frey said.
“We are a church that really believes in going all out for kids,” Frey said. “If a child makes a commitment to Christ before the age of 13, there’s a greater chance they’ll continue to be a follower of Christ.”
Monday’s focus was on Hope, Frey said, using the prophet Isaiah as an example. Tuesday looked at Courage and the story of Peter walking on the water, and Wednesday was devoted to Direction and the Sermon on the Mount. Thursday took a serious turn and focused on Love and the salvation message. Friday rounded out the week with Power and the story of Christ’s ascension.
Kids seventh grade and older are encouraged to volunteer and make an example for the younger ones, Frey said. She added that she tells them “you are Jesus’ ambassadors in this place. We don’t know what kids’ lives are like at home, but we can shine Jesus’ light.”
The kids took part in another exercise of faith as well, raising funds for Serve Moses Lake. Frey estimated that the kids alone raised over $1,000 for the local charity, and parents kicked in too. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up giving them $1,300 to $1,400,” she said.
Through all the fun and the hoopla, the basic purpose is still the same as the church’s mission statement, Frey said: to reach seekers and build believers.
No, it’s not quite like the Vacation Bible School older folks remember attending as kids. But in the most central ways, it’s still the same.
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